Fisherfolk allowed on Taal Lake for limited time

Amid the threat of a phreatic eruption from Taal Volcano, fisherfolk have been allowed to set out on Taal Lake, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Thursday.

According to the NDRRMC, fisherfolk will be allowed to fish in the lake from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The NDRRMC said fisherfolk must register before entering the lake.

The NDRRMC also said it established a system for monitoring the fisherfolk entering the lake.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and the local government unit will be patrolling 24/7.

The Talisay LGU is also in close coordination with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

As of Thursday afternoon, the NDRRMC said a total of 18 families with 64 individuals have been evacuated to Tumaway Evacuation Center and Aya Elementary School.

It said it will provide continuous humanitarian assistance to the evacuees. The Talisay LGU also established a help desk for the evacuees.

Earlier, PHIVOLCS said the Taal Volcano Network recorded 91 more tremor episodes having durations of one to five minutes. The number has increased compared to the 69 tremors recorded on Wednesday.

Alert Level 1  is maintained over Taal Volcano, which means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas may occur. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News